Scientific name: castor canadensis
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Beavers are a small, brown animal related to the squirrel. They are found in America and Europe. They spend their time in and around water, and are excellent swimmers.
Beavers are best known for their ability to build dams. They cut down trees with their sharp teeth and drag the logs to where they need them, and stack them up to make a dam. They end up with their own ponds that they tend to, which protects their den. Beavers eat waterlilys.
Scientific name: genus: tamias
Fis forFlying squirrel
Scientific name: tribe: pteromyini
Scientific name: family: geomyidae
Gis forGuinea pig
Scientific name: cavia porcellus
Guinea pigs, also called the cavy, are a small rodent originally from South America. They were first domesticated as a food source, but today guinea pigs are kept as pets. They have a quiet nature and don't mind being handled.
Scientific name: mesocricetus auratus
Hamsters are a small rodent that is often kept as a pet. Hamsters are originally from Syria. They have a large fur-lined pouch on either side of their face that goes all the way to their shoulders that they can fill with food. In the wild, they usually eat seeds and nuts.
Scientific name: lemmus lemmus
Scientific name: mus musculus
Scientific name: Families: erethizontidae and hystricidae
Porcupines are a large rodent related to the beaver. They are spiny like hedgehogs and echidnas but are not related to either of them.
Porcupines come in many shapes and sizes, but all have sharp quills. Porcupines can lose their quills, so if something bites a porcupine they get a mouthful of spikes.
Scientific name: genus: rattus
Rats are like large mice. They often live near people, scavenging food scraps in rubbish tips or stored food in houses. Rats are pests and most people try and get rid of rats if they can.
Rats can also kept as pets. Pet rats tend to be white or multicoloured, and wild rats tend to be plain brown or grey.